At one time or another, life gets stressful for everyone. It's normal to experience hardships here and there or to feel down sometimes. But it is essential to know when you should seek help for what you are going through. If you are dealing with challenging emotions or finding it hard to cope healthily, it may be time to seek professional help from a behavioral counselor. We understand it can be hard to know when to ask for help, so we’ve outlined some signs that you should see a counselor.
Signs You Should See a Counselor
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a mental illness to benefit from counseling. As a general rule, it is good to see a counselor when you are experiencing stress or hardships in your work, home, or social life. Whether you have suffered an emotional trauma or you are just feeling stressed, it can be hard to know when you should see a counselor. So, here are some signs that you should reach out for help:
Your Hobbies No Longer Interest You
If the activities that you once enjoyed no longer make you happy, this could be a sign that you are struggling with something. People experiencing psychological issues often feel disconnected from their daily life. They may lose interest in hobbies they once enjoyed, or avoid socializing with friends and family. Some common causes of this perpetual disinterest are depression, grief, or childhood abuse. Counseling can help you understand what is holding you back and learn to reconnect with the activities you enjoy.
Your Sleeping or Eating Habits Have Changed
If your sleeping and eating habits have changed, you may be dealing with emotional issues, as lack of sleep and poor eating habits are both common signs of stress. Having trouble falling asleep, or waking up frequently throughout the night can be red flags. If you find that you are overeating, not eating enough, or have lost your appetite completely, that is also a sign that something is wrong. You should reach out for help from a counselor if you notice these changes, as they can interfere with your daily life and be signs of an underlying psychological issue.
Your Relationships Have Been Affected
When you are dealing with emotional struggles, your relationships with friends and family can often be affected. Whether you are isolating yourself from others or finding yourself getting easily upset with your loved ones, mental illness and stress can impact the dynamic of your relationships. Your friends may also notice a change in your behavior and express their concern or encourage you to see a counselor. If you are having trouble maintaining positive relationships with others, or your loved ones are expressing worries about you, you could likely benefit from behavioral counseling.
You Have Experienced Loss or Trauma
Many people experience tragedy that is out of their control, such as a death of a loved one, assault, bullying, accidents, and more. Trauma can interfere with many aspects of your life, including personal relationships. It can manifest both physically and mentally and can be triggered unexpectedly. If you have experienced a loss or trauma, you must seek professional help. Processing the emotional impact of a traumatic event can be hard to do on your own. A counselor can help you understand your response to triggers and offer ways to help you overcome any troubling behaviors or thoughts.
If you think you may be dealing with too much stress, suffering from mental illness, or exhibiting any of the above-mentioned signs, you should reach out to a behavioral counselor. There are many resources available to help you through any difficulties you may be facing.
How Counseling Can Help You
Behavioral counseling is a form of therapy that can assist you in both understanding and changing your behaviors. A behavioral counselor is trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. A combination of physician management of medications and counseling is often the most effective way of treating mental problems like anxiety and depression.
While care varies from person to person, you can expect your counselor to ask you questions to understand your situation and your reasoning for seeking medical attention. Your counselor can then develop a series of interventions and strategies that include proven methods to address your problems and concerns.
At Genesis Medical Associates, our counselors know that there is no single approach to treating mental problems, as each person is unique and it affects them differently. Your professional counselor will collaborate with your physician to offer individually based counseling, tailored therapies, and care methods that are right for you. If you think you could benefit from counseling, ask your doctor at Genesis Medical Associates about our behavioral counseling services.
Genesis Medical Associates is dedicated to providing families with access to primary care and improving the overall health and wellness of our patients. We offer a variety of services including primary care, women’s health, mental health counseling, cardiology, telemedicine, and more. Visit one of our many Pittsburgh, PA locations or schedule an appointment online today.
